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Listen to the Music . . . editor notes issue #69
Several recent articles have clearly struck a nerve — or pushed buttons — for readers. The First Person Nonprofit story by a founding executive director whose board fired her incited nearly 100 people to write responses. Last issue's piece on the …
Take a 3-Minute Vacation Poking Fun at International Aid Groups (and ourselves)
Give your used eyeglasses to poor kids! Ship your old shoes to Africa! Send blankets to earthquake victims! At last, a group of Africans has turned the tables on heart-rending international relief causes with a new one of their own: sending used radiat …
Luminosity . . . editor notes issue #67
Wow! The last special issue of Blue Avocado had more than 1,000 people sign up for free webinars, dozens of folks using the discount on Exceed fundraising software, and many taking advantage of big discounts for IdeaEncore and The Nonprofit Quarterly. …
I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues . . . editor notes issue #70
Sometimes it seems like the bad news is big (the debt deal, global warming) and the good news is little (one little kid inspired). But our constant focus on the bad news can lead some people to mistake our depression and anger for cynicism. We like to …
Board Meeting Packets
Having been both an executive director and a board president, I’m on both sides of the board packet question. I know the staff’s temptation to send a ton of stuff, the better to inform and impress the board. I also know the board member’s tendency to r …
Independence and Sacred Cows . . . Editor Notes Issue #48
Unexpectedly, so many people told us how “courageous” we are for daring to criticize funders and the press in last issue’s Just Awards for Narcissism in Philanthropy and Abominable Press Coverage of Nonprofits. What was really new was not that we cri …
Take a 3-Minute Vacation Right Now: A Different Kind of Fact
Some days it feels like the nonprofit sector emits a constant drumbeat of dismaying statistics about how awful the world is. And then, because we are always told we have to be positive, we add in a little story about how one or two people are ove …
Sidebar: More on the Old and New Versions of 990 Online Software
The current version of 990 Online walks the preparer through the Form and schedules in a sequential way, in contrast to the questionnaire-type interface typical of consumer tax preparation software such as Turbo Tax®. As a past tax professiona …
Blue Ribbon Nominating Committee That Meets Once
Tested with great success in dozens and dozens of nonprofits, this technique will help you reach out beyond your usual circles and find new board members
Blue Avocado Teams Up with American Nonprofits
Have you ever had one of these thoughts: How can my nonprofit get the line of credit or working capital loan that we deserve and need? Where can I move my money away from Wall Street to a place that will help nonprofits? …
